Law enforcement officials inform the AP that the suspect involved in the New Orleans crash has died.

Truck Crash in New Orleans Results in 10 Dead, 30 Injured

On New Year’s Day in New Orleans, a tragic event occurred when a truck drove into a crowd, leading to the loss of 10 lives and leaving 30 others injured. Law enforcement officials informed the Associated Press that the suspect was killed in a firefight with police. However, the investigation details remain confidential, and officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly, provided information on the condition of anonymity.

Crash in the French Quarter

The incident occurred at around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, in the heart of the French Quarter, along Bourbon Street—one of the most famous streets in the world for New Year’s Eve celebrations. At the time of the crash, the area was packed with revelers celebrating the holiday and anticipating the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game scheduled later in the day at the nearby Superdome. The scene was chaotic as the suspect deliberately rammed a vehicle into the large crowd of pedestrians.

Differing Descriptions of the Incident

During a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the attack a “terrorist attack,” while the city’s police chief confirmed that the act appeared intentional. However, an assistant FBI agent in charge disagreed, stating that the event was “not a terrorist event.” The two descriptions caused confusion and were left unresolved at the end of the news conference, as authorities did not reconcile the two characterizations.

Discovery of Possible Explosives at the Scene

Alethea Duncan, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans field office, revealed that law enforcement officials were investigating the discovery of at least one suspected improvised explosive device (IED) at the scene of the crash. This raised concerns about the possibility of a more complex attack, though no further information was available regarding the device at the time.

Public Safety and the Sugar Bowl Game

Despite the tragedy, Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick reassured the public that law enforcement would continue to ensure the safety of the community. She confirmed that the Sugar Bowl football game would proceed as scheduled. “He was hell-bent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said, referring to the suspect’s intentional actions. “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”

Injuries to Law Enforcement Officers

During the course of the incident, two police officers were shot after the suspect exited the truck, resulting in injuries. The officers were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, and law enforcement later confirmed that both officers were in stable condition. This aspect of the incident further underscored the violence and chaos that unfolded during the attack.

Ongoing Investigation and Lack of Updates

As of now, officials have not provided an update on the status of the suspect, including whether there is an ongoing threat to the public. They have also refrained from sharing any insights into the suspected motive behind the tragic event. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the situation, with no immediate answers about the reasoning behind the attack.

Victims Taken to Local Hospitals

NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, confirmed that those injured in the crash were transported to five local hospitals for treatment. Authorities have yet to provide further details on the condition of the victims, though it is clear that the incident has left the city in a state of shock and mourning.

Federal Briefings and Government Response

The tragic attack caught the attention of national officials as well. The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident, as did Attorney General Merrick Garland, who received information from the Justice Department regarding the attack. The involvement of federal officials underscores the gravity of the situation and the ongoing efforts to understand the full scope of the attack.

Conclusion

This New Year’s Day crash in New Orleans has left the city grieving as it deals with the aftermath of a deadly attack. With conflicting reports, ongoing investigations, and unanswered questions about the suspect’s motives, New Orleans faces a difficult path forward. The community, already shaken by the loss of life, will need support as they recover from the tragedy, while law enforcement works to piece together the details of what transpired on that fateful night.